1. Patient-directed Internet-based Medical Image Exchange: Experience from an Initial Multicenter Implementation
- Author
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Greco, Giampaolo, Patel, Anand S, Lewis, Sara C, Shi, Wei, Rasul, Rehana, Torosyan, Mary, Erickson, Bradley J, Hiremath, Atheeth, Moskowitz, Alan J, Tellis, Wyatt M, Siegel, Eliot L, Arenson, Ronald L, and Mendelson, David S
- Subjects
Diagnostic Imaging ,Adult ,Male ,Adolescent ,Clinical Sciences ,Image sharing ,Bioengineering ,Integrating the healthcare enterprise ,Young Adult ,Clinical Research ,80 and over ,Humans ,Child ,Personal ,Tomography ,Computer Security ,Aged ,Patient Access to Records ,Compact Disks ,Internet ,Information Dissemination ,Middle Aged ,Health Services ,Magnetic Resonance Imaging ,Health Records ,X-Ray Computed ,Radiography ,Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging ,Radiology Information Systems ,Good Health and Well Being ,Privacy ,Patient Satisfaction ,Feasibility Studies ,Biomedical Imaging ,Female ,Generic health relevance ,Attitude to Health ,Confidentiality ,Personal health record - Abstract
Rationale and objectivesInefficient transfer of personal health records among providers negatively impacts quality of health care and increases cost. This multicenter study evaluates the implementation of the first Internet-based image-sharing system that gives patients ownership and control of their imaging exams, including assessment of patient satisfaction.Materials and methodsPatients receiving any medical imaging exams in four academic centers were eligible to have images uploaded into an online, Internet-based personal health record. Satisfaction surveys were provided during recruitment with questions on ease of use, privacy and security, and timeliness of access to images. Responses were rated on a five-point scale and compared using logistic regression and McNemar's test.ResultsA total of 2562 patients enrolled from July 2012 to August 2013. The median number of imaging exams uploaded per patient was 5. Most commonly, exams were plain X-rays (34.7%), computed tomography (25.7%), and magnetic resonance imaging (16.1%). Of 502 (19.6%) patient surveys returned, 448 indicated the method of image sharing (Internet, compact discs [CDs], both, other). Nearly all patients (96.5%) responded favorably to having direct access to images, and 78% reported viewing their medical images independently. There was no difference between Internet and CD users in satisfaction with privacy and security and timeliness of access to medical images. A greater percentage of Internet users compared to CD users reported access without difficulty (88.3% vs. 77.5%, P
- Published
- 2016